AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She glances over my shoulder, and I notice the change in her demeanor. Then, I feel the presence behind me, and I tense when a hand lands on my shoulder. I smell his cologne, and for some reason, I automatically relax as Sergio says, "I am taking good care of Ryan for you. There is no need to worry." The tenderness in his voice surprises me, but I don't let it show when my mother looks at me again.
"Is that true, Ryan?" Mom studies me closely, waiting for my response, and I can honestly say it is. At least where Sergio is concerned.
I nod and squeeze her hand. "Yes, Mom. Sergio has been good to me."
"Are you happy, then?"
I flinch at this question, not expecting her to ask it, because of course I'm not happy, and she should know this, but I smile and reply, "As happy as I can be."
Mom doesn't miss the subtle hint to my words but isn't pressing further. Instead, we visit for a while, neither of us talking about her impending death. Bain and the D'Angelo brothers sit across the room in the little sitting area, giving us as much privacy as the brothers will allow me.
Surprisingly, they allow me two hours with my mother, and as we get ready to leave, my mother makes her plea to the brothers, "Please, I would like my daughter with me during my final hours. It's all I'm asking. Please grant me this one dying wish." A tear falls from her eye, and she swipes it away.
Sergio and Dante exchange looks, and then Dante nods. "We will bring her to you."
I smile at them and then turn back. "I love you, Mom. Hopefully, I won't see you too soon."
Mom gives a tired chuckle, "No promises, baby girl."
I lean in and hug her. "Hang on for me, Mama. I promise to return home," I whisper, kissing her temple.
We all file out of the room, and I close the door softly behind us. "Do you mind if I use the bathroom before we leave?"
Dante nods and watches me cross the hall to one of the many bathrooms here at the Manor. Staring at myself in the mirror momentarily, I look down at my hand and uncurl my fingers to reveal the little piece of paper my mother passed me. I read it, and I want to jump for joy.
I am not dying anytime soon, Sweetheart, but come back in exactly two weeks and be ready!
- Mom
What's going to happen in two weeks? I read the message one more time before balling it up, tossing it in the toilet, and flushing it. Making sure it disappears down the drain, I move to the sink and wash my hands. With one last look in the mirror and a deep breath, I exhale and then turn, returning to the men waiting for me just outside the door.
Forty-Two
Only a week to go. I can do this. I can get all my ducks in a row and prepare to leave this hell that the D'Angelo brothers call home. There is one task that I have to do before I leave here, and it's going to be a tricky one. Getting the flash drive that has all the information I've been collecting throughout the year on the victims of the D'Angelo trafficking ring may be an issue. With cameras everywhere, it will be hard to get to it.
You see, I could only hide the flash drive in one of the cages holding the women. I am the one who goes in and out of that cage, both to tend to the women and also to clean it afterward. Since we just had an auction, there are no women inside it. Therefore, there is no reason for me to be inside the cage.
As much as I hate to say it, I hope they bring someone in before I'm due back at Huntley Manor. My thoughts return to the day I received the note from my mom. I wonder what Bain's plan is. He can't possibly think he can stop the brothers single-handedly, does he? There is only one way to stop them; believe it or not, I was prepared to do it. Iam prepared to do it. Life in prison sounds way better than being the D'Angelos’ whore, that's for sure.Although I will miss the incredible sex with Sergio, even that isn't enough to keep me here,I think to myself.
The guys have been gone all morning, doing God knows what, but I had been informed that I needed to present myself immediately upon their return. The brothers do this all the time, just in case they are in one of their moods when they get home; I am to help with their decompressing. Sometimes they take me all together, and sometimes they take their turns like we are at a college Frat party, and I'm the campus slut who lets them pull a train on me. I roll my eyes at the thought because that's the solid truth…these brothers never really matured in that department.
After being told that the brothers have just entered the gate, I make sure I'm dressed inappropriately, just as they like it, with a tight mini skirt, a see-through button-up blouse tied into a crop top, and a pair of stilettos. I'm only allowed to wear a bra when I wear these revealing blouses. I almost feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman wearing this outfit, but I guess the D'Angelos are the Mafia, and they like their women fast, easy, and looking cheap.
I enter their office, knowing it will be the first place they come to when they arrive home. I walk straight to the mini bar and begin pouring all three of their favorite drinks and place all of them on a tray, so I can stand here like a damn cocktail waitress and serve them. I should be used to it, and I am to a point, but it still annoys the hell out of me.
Sergio is the first to walk in, giving me his warm smile before he bites his bottom lip as he ogles me. Grabbing my ass, he holds the tray, so it doesn't fall when he pulls me against him. "I've missed you today, poppet." His mouth descends to mine, and he takes it in a heated kiss.
Pulling away, he takes his drink and moves to sit down. Dante comes and grabs his glass from the tray next, pressing his lips to my forehead. "I trust you have been a good girl, poppet."
"Yes, Dante," I reply with a smile.
"Good." He lifts his brow at what I'm wearing, and I notice a bit of annoyance flash across his face before glancing behind him.
That's when I notice that we have a guest in the room, and I start to move forward and offer him a drink. It's what I've been trained to do, but Dante grabs my arm and gives me a slight shake of his head. I nod and remain where I am, wondering why Dante didn't want me to offer his guest a refreshment. Instead, he walks over to the mini bar, pours two fingers of scotch into a glass, and takes it to the unfamiliar man.
I've never seen this person before, but the brothers seem to know him quite well. When Luca comes to get his glass, he glares at me. "Go put some fucking clothes on!" he whispers angrily.
I'm not sure what to think, so I put the tray back in its place and start to rush from the room to do as I'm told, but as I pass their guest, his hand shoots out and grips my wrist. He looks me over, and a cocky grin appears as he says, "You have been holding out on me, cousins." He pauses and the next thing I know, I'm being pulled into his lap. "Where are you going in such a hurry, doll?"
